Nick Moloney completed his first voyage onboard the Open 50, OC1, arriving at the Offshore Challenges base in Cowes, UK last weekend after a five-week refit in northern France.

Moloney and his shore support Richard Watkin, will now work on preparing the boat for the Route du Rhum in November, his prime objective with this Finot-designed 50 footer. “There is a long list of work to do now, to get her race ready – and plenty of learning for me as well – but its great to get out on the water with her, she’s a real weapon downwind,” commented a motivated Moloney.

Both Nick’s 50 footer and Ellen MacArthur’s 60ft ‘Kingfisher’ will be sailing with media and sponsors during Cowes Week, although not joining the racing itself – these solo ocean racing boats are not really designed for around the cans competition!

Following Cowes Week Nick will head off on his 1,000 mile mandatory solo qualifier for the trans-Atlantic Route de Rhum race from St Malo to Guadeloupe. This will be followed by an upgrade to the rigging, and work on the pilot and electronics systems onboard, as well as testing of a couple of new downwind sails. A full sail inventory is dependant on sponsorship.

Two weeks ago Moloney became the first official entry into the 2004 Vendée Globe – his project will be managed by Offshore Challenges, the same team behind Ellen MacArthur’s Vendée campaign and ongoing sailing projects. To achieve his third and final goal to sail solo around the globe non-stop – Offshore Challenges have eighth months to secure a sponsor which will then give them substantial time to construct a new Open 60 for the 26,000 mile circumnavigation.